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Confirmation

The Sacrament of Confirmation is one of three Sacraments of Initiation and is the full outpouring of the Holy Spirit, necessary for the perfection and completion of baptismal grace.  Baptism, Confirmation and the Eucharist are a unity of sacraments that bring us into the Church.  Like Baptism, Confirmation imprints a permanent, indelible mark on the soul, and because of this permanence, Confirmation is only received once.  

The signs of Confirmation are the laying on of hands and the anointing with Chrism Oil on the person's head.  The traditional minister of Confirmation is the bishop, the shepherd or head of the local church, or his auxillary.  When an adult converts to Catholicism, a priest can administer the Sacrament of Confirmation.   

Confirmation is the sacrament that gives people courage and strength in belief, word and deed - to act in every situation as Christ himself would act.   
Confirmation for High School Age Youth:
Most people receive the Sacrament of Confirmation as a youth.  Here at St. Susanna, Confirmation is generally celebrated in the 10th Grade, but the Confirmation preparation classes are available to all high school youth.  Two consecutive years of Confirmation Preparation are required, i.e., 9th Grade religious education is a prerequisite.  The program used for Confirmation preparation here at St. Susanna is CHOSEN: Your Journey Toward Confirmation by Ascension Press.  Confirmation for youth takes place at SS Peter and Paul Cathedral in Indianapolis in the spring.   For more information on this program, please contact the Coordinator of Youth Ministry. 
Confirmation for Adults: 
All Catholics (age 18 and older) who have been baptized, received First Eucharist and are practicing their faith but have not celebrated the Sacrament of Confirmation are invited to participate in a preparation program.  Preparation for Confirmation simply requires attendance at a limited number of classes each year.  Adult Confirmation will take place on Pentecost Sunday at SS. Peter and Paul Cathedral in Indianapolis.  Please contact the Coordinator of Adult Faith Formation for more information. 
Confirmation for Adults and Youth through RCIA:
Adults and youth who are unbaptized, were baptized in another Christian faith tradition or who were baptized Catholic but have not yet received their First Holy Communion will prepare for the Sacraments of Initiation:  Baptism (if needed), Confirmation and Eucharist through the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) or the Rite of Christian Initiation of Children (RCIC).  For more information on RCIA, please contact the Coordinator of Adult Faith Formation. 
          The Effects of the Sacrament of Confirmation include:
          - Baptismal grace is increased and deepened
          - An indelible mark is imprinted on the soul (like Baptism)
          - The confirmed person is rooted more deeply as a child of the Father
          - The confirmed person is united more closely to Christ
          - The gifts of the Holy Spirit (wisdom, understanding, council, fortitude, knowledge, piety and fear of the Lord) increase
          - The confirmed person's bond with the Church is perfected
          - Special graces are given to the confirmed person to enable him to spread and defend the faith by word and deed as a true witness to Christ
          - The confirmed person is enabled to confess Christ boldly and never be ashamed of the Cross.
               (The Didache Series, Introduction to Catholicism, 146).
          Under normal circumstances, candidates for Confirmation, like other sacraments, must meet certain conditions, Confirmands must: 
          - Be in the state of grace
          - Have reached the age of reason
          - Make a profession of faith
          - State their intention to receive the sacrament
          - Accept their obligation to profess Christ in both the Church and the world
                (The Didache Series, Introduction to Catholicism, 145). 
Confirmation Sponsor Roles and Responsibilities: 
Candidates for the Sacrament of Confirmation should seek the help of a sponsor, someone with whom they can share their faith and someone who can help them grow in their faith.  It is appropriate or preferred (but not required) that the sponsor chosen for Confirmation be the same as the baptismal godparent to emphasize the unity and connection of Baptism and Confirmation as well as strengthening an already existing relationship.  
          Sponsors must:
          - Be at least 16 years old
          - Have received the sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation and Eucharist
          - Not be the father or mother of the one to be confirmed
          - Be in good standing with the Catholic Church
Choosing a Christian Name: 
All who are to be confirmed and asked to choose a Christian name and that name will be used during the sacrament. 
          Choosing the name of a saint is practiced because:
          - The saint will serve as a constant role model of service to Christ and his Church
          - Having a particular saint as your patron guarantees the prayers of that holy person for the one to be confirmed and his/her intentions (CCC 956)
          - By being declared a saint, the Church is proclaiming that this person practiced heroic virtue during their life on earth (CCC 828)
          - In Scripture, receiving a new name is often associated with a change in life
          - Taking a new name carries with it that the one to be confirmed is asking for the Lord to change them, give them courage and strength to live their faith more fully

          On choosing a name:
          - Candidates may use their baptismal name or another Christian name (a Christian name would be the name of a saint or a blessed)
          - Derivatives of names (Katie for Katherine or Jenna for Genevieve) or Old Testament names are also appropriate
          - Candidates may use their first or second names if they are Christian names, or they may select a new Christian name
          - Candidates should know the relationship of the name to the religious Christian tradition
          - Candidates are encouraged to learn about their patron as part of their preparation for the sacrament, focusing on the virtues they wish to emulate